Can anyone offer a concise summary of what the hub-bub is all about? I have a 2002 and I thought the recall was about the elimination of the "finger" (in later models) that keeps the floor mats from sliding forward - that they had eliminated these retainers and the mats sliding forward is what was causing the problem...

I think they initially thought it was the floor mat jamming the gas pedal down, but now I dont think they know exactly what causes it.

It all boils down to Toyota relying on another company to make their pedals (CTS based in Indiana) instead of building it themselves or from a parent company like they normally do.

Heres a press release from Toyota. Notice no Japanese built truck are affected since they use Japanese built Toyota gas pedals.

http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/FAQ-for-Sticking-Accelerator-Pedal-152196.aspx

>>>*The latest report I read is that wear caused the pedal to become stiff, then sticky. I don't know how wear can be an issue in such a late model vehicle but the problem is that something like this can cause confusion and the operator does not react properly, which is to simply shut it off.

I had one hang up on me once, it was a twin engine dragster with two 392" Chrsyler hemis on Nitro. 5000+ horsepower, I was hired to do some sparkly runs at Port Orford raceway.

"Sparklies" is stuff we put on the tires to create lots of neat smoke. The throttle rod was a tad too long and went overcenter, wouldn't come back when I lifted in the traps.

*Shade over 200 MPH.......

I hit the kill switch and the chute, still mowed some grass at the end of the track.

Great fun!... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />...I think that anyone that has one of those vehicles that are on the list best park them until they are fixed....*EB

Dang! That's a funny way to say that. Glad you were OK.


The biggest problem is that many people who have a Tacoma that was built in the last few years are nervously waiting for Toyota to fix it's very serious problem with the drive-by-wire. Every one of these recent recalls from Toyota has been focused on the gas pedal components and the floor mats, which definitely isn't the problem with the newer Tacomas. Newer Tacomas were included in the floor mat recall, but not this latest gas pedal recall. Tacomas didn't come with floor mats. And many hundreds of people with the newest Tacomas have claimed random sudden full throttle acceleration even when the gas pedal wasn't depressed. The computer randomly gives it full throttle. There's been more discussion about that in the past on the Tacoma forum here in the last couple of years. So there's still more to Toyota's acceleration issue that they haven't figured out yet and it hasn't hit the news yet. In my opinion that's a more serious issue than the gas pedal just sticking in place at the position wherever your foot last was.

edit:
The link that was in the Tacoma forum here in Oct, 2007, was an investigative news story at this link:
http://www.wsmv.com/news/14295351/detail.html

And from there, there's a link to some reports of Tacomas with accelerator issues: (But be aware that a few of these reports only refer to the very mild "surging" where the brake pads don't quite hold the vehicle perfectly still when the A/C turns on and the engine rpm's bump up just a little, which is very different from the sudden full throttle problem. But they are all grouped together).
http://www.wsmv.com/download/2007/1006/14283049.pdf

I agree, except how about put it in NEUTRAL first, pull over and stop, THEN worry about shutting it off.

Turning off the key could lock the steering wheel if you turned it all the way. That could be bad, especially if you're already going faster than you intended. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Sucks that the "highly trained" CHP officer didn't think of either of those, but had enough time to call 911 while he was speeding around out of control before he wrecked and killed everybody in the car. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

It also sucks that the AMERICAN suppliers have lead to the major Toyota recalls rearing their ugly heads lately (frame, throttle). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />
I'm glad all mine were made in Japan! I've been wanting to buy a Tundra, but quality has always been a concern, and all of this has me REALLY second guessing...

"I agree, except how about put it in NEUTRAL first, pull over and stop, THEN worry about shutting it off.

Turning off the key could lock the steering wheel if you turned it all the way. That could be bad, especially if you're already going faster than you intended. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />"

>>>*That's a good point, plus it would also make a real nice test for new Toyota engine quality. The instinct to turn the key is all the way of course, that would be a mistake if in motion.

The real problem is that if it crops up unexpectedly, surprise causes a certain percentage of the population to panic and freeze.

I know that when it happened to me my first reaction was to apply the brakes, quite ineffective on that machine. Then since the kill switch is on the steering flange, my thumb flicked it which was pure instinct. I still ran off the end of the track. It's confusion first, then panic, that makes it hard to think...I can understand how it could happen, darn shame though when someone loses their life, yet so easily avoided. .. Toyota seems to be owning up to the problem, which is good.......*EB

Consumer Reports did a demo where you are instructed:

1)Not to pump the brakes; depletes the boost.

2)Put the vehicle into neutral. The RPM's will hit the rev limiter, but the car will no longer be propelled; you will still be able to use the power steering, in addition to not having the column lock up.

3)Pull over as safely as possible, in a safe place.

4)Put the car in park, and shut off the ignition.


Glad my Taco is a 2004.

Link to video:
http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/firsthand-look-at-faulty-toyota-pedal-17918918

Very sad to see anyone get injured or lose their life because of a faulty product!

With that said, I can't for the life of me understand how a trained California Stater couldn't at least shut off the ignition??

Neutral is the obvious solution to stay in control but what about shoving it into park or jamming the e-brake??

Hate to say it but continuing along at 120mph towards an intersection while you're on the phone is almost laughable.

They better get an emergency response bulletin out to educate every effected Toyota owner until they have them all fixed!!

Before anyone attacks my cold point of view, I lost a brake booster in a motorhome, pulling a boat down a very steep pass with 6 family members inside!
3 of which were my little daughters and we all walked away because I didn't panic.

We could armchair QB that all day, and it still won't bring back any of the dead, may they rest in peace. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Not everybody can maintain their cool under duress, simple as that.